Sierra Academy

[Sierra_Student]

I am considering Sierra Aviation Academy in Oakland for my pilot training. I was wondering if anyone had any comments (positive/negative) about the academy? Thanks!

 

[LAX Airport]

I just visited FSI in Vero Beach and found out that there were some Sierra people out there. (I wonder why?) I am also considering Sierra because I am not so much into Florida.

But anyways....just thought I'd ad much two cents. So far, FSI is the best I have seen so far. But beware, many in this industry look down on what they call, "Pay for training." (Programs)

Good Luck

 

[Sierra_Student]

Thanks for the input. I really like what I see at Sierra. I like the Florida schools too, but I don't know if I could handle living there. If only life in CA weren't so expensive...

 

[Timebuilder]

Sierra Academy is one of the schools I looked into when I was preparing to start my CFI training. When the guy on the telephone found I was ready for my CFI, and was interested in information about thier turbine training and the "direct track" that was mentioned in their glossy magazine ads, he started to lose interest. I had questions that he apparently wasn't briefed to answer, and I asked him to have someone call me. I never received that call, and they had no less than three numbers by which to contact me.

I'm not sure if this guy on the phone was a student who was pressed into duty to answer the phone, but he clearly wasn't ready to sell the school.

Maybe it's because I don't sound 18 (I sing notes that go off the bottom of the bass clef) or I didn't say something like "wow, you can make me an airline pilot? My dad says that he can write a check.." or something else that he wanted to hear. I don't know.

I wasn't impressed, and I have fifty or so schools like this by which to compare. FSI was probably the best at being well organized anhd courteous on the phone, with ready answers to questions. ERAU is prepared to talk to recent HS grads, but they have a harder time talking to adults, just like most colleges still do.

Some other sources told me that Sierra was a real student "mill" and that living nearby was very expensive. I don't know if either statement is true.

I hope this helps you.

 

[matt63634]

Actually, I toured Sierrra Academy a couple of weeks ago and I really liked what I saw. They have a pretty big fleet of 152s 172s and a few twins. One drawback is if you come in with any ratings higher than yout instrument, you don't qualify for their Direct Track internship, so I have to take a bunch of time off between my Inst Rating and Commercial. However, the A/C rental prices are considerably lower than what I'm paying for up here in Seattle. The housing rent in the bay area is awful. We are looking at an apartment for $1200/mo, 1br, it does have alot of amenities though. Plus KOAK is a GIGANTIC airport, I didn't realize how big it is, the guy said it was the 8th busiest in the US. I start at Sierra in Sept.

-Matt

 

[Timebuilder]

One drawback is if you come in with any ratings higher than yout instrument, you don't qualify for their Direct Track internship,

What would you say, for example, about a college that wouldn't let you transfer after your third year, and accept your credits?

I think that speaks VOLUMES about the operation.

 

[matt63634]

What would you say, for example, about a college that wouldn't let you transfer after your third year, and accept your credits?

I think that speaks VOLUMES about the operation.

It's not that they won't accept your previous ratings, they want to offer their limited instructor positions to those who actually received most of their training from them and are familiar with the curriculum.

Besides, it's a matter of opinion. I have toured the facility, talked face-to-face with their representatives, talked with instructors at my FBO (most of whom graduated from ERAU), and researched them for a good 6 months to a year before actually going down there. I'm giving my opinion that it's a good school based on more than a telephone call.

-Matt

 

[Timebuilder]

It's not that they won't accept your previous ratings, they want to offer their limited instructor positions to those who actually received most of their training from them and are familiar with the curriculum.

That's right. They want to be the place where you spent a significant portion of your flight training dollars in order to be "rewarded" with the MAIN THRUST of their advertising, the coveted "direct track internship". This is equivalent to a college saying that you are ineligible for the thrust of their advertisement, the degree, becuase you have ratings (think:credits) from another institution. If you didn't spend your money there, you are "direct tracked" to fend for yourself.

When I was in broadcasting and newswriting, I often had to size up a news source by a conversation, sometimes over the phone. I'm curious, what kind of "research" can one do on a school, other than conversations with graduates, staff, the web, message boards, etc.

I did all of that.